Regarded as one of the most talented officials in President Davis's
cabinet, Judah Benjamin
served the Confederacy in several positions, first as attorney
general, later as secretary
of war, and finally as secretary of state. Benjamin's
struggles to administer his various
offices during the war were complicated by his personal
friendship with Davis, a
friendship that led many to accuse the president of
favoritism. Further complicating
Benjamin's duties was his own heritage. A Jew, Benjamin found
himself often battling not
only the United States government in his official capacities,
but anti-Semitism within his
own government. In spite of such bigotry, the widespread use
of Benjamin's image on
Confederate currencies recognized his contributions and
underscored his importance to
the southern cause.